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Winter Wonderland (California Style)
I love this season! Wait – didn’t I say that about Autumn? As I’m writing this it is raining, the first “real” storm of the season. In California’s Mediterranean climate, the normal is for us to receive the majority of rain and snow in winter and early spring. It’s been a dry fall. December […]
Read MorePlanting in winter
Our season of fall planting is nearing its conclusion. But if you need to finish off the landscape this year, or are like me and want to add “just a few more” new plants to the garden, here are some ideas and tips to ensure success with your new transplants. In fact, there are some […]
Read MoreAutumn is here, but do we care?
I should have paid more attention to the Autumnal Equinox, the day when day and night are the same length. For a few months, until the solstice, there will be a little more night than day. I should have posted something on facebook, sent out a tweet, posted pictures on Pinterest of what a typical […]
Read MoreWinter in the California native plant garden
What do you need to do in winter to keep your California native plant garden thriving? The following tips are geared towards gardens in California’s Central Valley and Southern Sierra Nevada. These ideas can also apply to gardens that share similar traits: 1) Inland – Little or no ocean influence means cold winters and long, […]
Read MoreCold, cold, cold
This article first appeared in the Porterville Recorder newspaper Dec. 7-8, 2013 and was written with mainly the Southern Sierra and Central Valley gardens in mind, but hopefully it’s useful to native plant gardeners across California. Cold, cold, cold Frost periods like the one we’ve just had make me glad most of my plants are […]
Read MoreCalifornia native plants during the Freeze
Plants that need help now, during periods of sustained low temperatures: 1) plants you found and bought at nurseries outside the area that originate –grow in the wild–in areas that don’t routinely experience freezing. 2) plants that originate in low elevation areas that you planted in your high (2000′ feet and above) garden. 3) plants […]
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